Ravens tailback tears Achilles, taking shot at running back depth
The Baltimore Ravens have lost another running back for the season. Just weeks after losing JK Dobbins due to an ACL injury, Baltimore’s depth at the position has taken another shot. Third-year tailback Justice Hill has torn his achilles in practice, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
The Oklahoma State product was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In two seasons, the running back has carried the ball 70 times for 285 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 13 receptions for 90 yards.
Hill played at Oklahoma State from 2016 to 2018. In his three seasons with the Cowboys, he had two 1,000-plus yard seasons. He finished with 3,539 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Hill was expected to be Baltimore’s No. 3 running back this season. With Dobbins’ injury, he was going to share carries with Gus Edwards.
The report came shortly after the league’s daily wire brought word that the team worked out veterans Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman. Elijah Holyfield, who spent offseason time with the Eagles this year, also worked out for the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens update JK Dobbins status following torn ACL diagnosis
After Dobbins’ injury was revealed, the general consensus around the league was that he would miss the entire season. The consensus was confirmed as the Ravens placed him on injured reserve before the final day of the preseason.
By placing Dobbins on the injured reserve list before the regular season starts, he will be ineligible to return to the Ravens had he recovered quicker than expected. The new NFL rules regarding injured reserve went into effect for the 2020 NFL season and were renewed for the 2021 season again earlier this month.
Losing Dobbins before the season begins was a major blow to the Ravens. Even more upsetting for Dobbins and fans is wondering what he could have done in his second NFL season following a great rookie effort.
The Ravens selected Dobbins with the 55th-overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Dobbins played in 15 games, running for 805 yards and nine touchdowns on 134 carries. He had a solid six yards per carry.
Without Dobbins, the Ravens must now replace their expected starting running back. Former starter Mark Ingram is now with the Houston Texans. Fourth-year running back Gus Edwards is poised for a major increase in volume with Dobbins now out. In each of his three NFL seasons, Edwards has run for at least 711 yards. Last year, he set career highs with 144 carries for 723 yards and six touchdowns along with nine receptions on 13 targets for 129 receiving yards.